Chapter 66: Ah Yin's Power Unleashed
Ning An'an's soul ring absorption went smoothly. Though the process was long, she succeeded without incident, fully integrating her third soul ring. She admired the three soul rings glowing atop her pink Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. Despite her relatively high status in her family, her cultivation speed among her generation was considered quite remarkable, especially for a support type soul master.
The other soul masters in her party also successfully acquired their soul rings. Just as they prepared to head back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, a sudden shout echoed from afar.
Looking up, the team from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect froze in horror. Charging toward them was a massive spider type soul beast, with countless other beasts following closely behind it. The sheer size of the creature standing over seven meters tall indicated that it was likely over 10,000 years old.
"Run! Run for your lives!" the lead soul master shouted, grabbing Ning An'an as he yelled for his comrades to do the same. Each soul master hoisted the young sect members over their shoulders, knowing that escaping this beast tide was their only hope. If they failed to protect these young nobles, returning to the sect would be just as fatal as facing the beast tide.
Thankfully, the soul hunting team was highly trained, and the extra weight posed little hindrance to them. However, the soul beasts' terrifying speed was quickly closing the distance between them.
"Damn it! Who could be so reckless to cause a soul beast frenzy deep in the forest?" the lead soul master muttered, gritting his teeth. His own power level was at the Soul Emperor rank, but in the face of a rampaging beast tide, even he was powerless.
Ning An'an, normally the picture of composure, was frozen with fear. Though the tide of beasts began to recede behind them, her relief was short lived. Just as she thought they had escaped, a massive spider web descended from above, threatening to ensnare them all.
The spider beast, easily seven meters tall, cast a web that glowed with a faint yellow hue, stretching like a vast, dark net across the sky.
"No!" Ning An'an's eyes filled with despair. If they were caught by the web, they would be left behind, defenseless against the charging beasts, and torn apart within moments.
But then, a clear male voice broke through the chaos.
"Ah Yin, if you please."
"Second soul skill: Blue Silver Surge."
In an instant, the seemingly unremarkable blue silver grass blanketing the forest floor surged upward, expanding wildly to form a dense barrier against the incoming web. Though the web sizzled and hissed as it corroded the grass, the defense bought them just enough time to flee.
With a sigh of relief, the party scrambled to safety, taking a moment to glance back, curious about their mysterious saviors.
What they saw left them speechless. An immense wave of blue silver grass had risen to hold back the vicious beast tide.
Ye Wen, observing the soul beasts with their eyes aglow with madness, furrowed his brow.
"Something isn't right. These soul beasts have been drugged, driving them to this frenzy. But who would provoke a beast tide so close to the Heavenly Dou imperial capital? Could they be after the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
He pondered over the possibilities but soon dismissed them. In the original timeline, wasn't it Dugu Bo who eventually stumbled upon the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? Could his presence have triggered an unexpected butterfly effect, causing the story to deviate?
Unable to pinpoint a culprit, Ye Wen turned his attention back to the growing beast tide. He took a deep breath, realizing the situation's gravity. If this frenzy went unchecked, it might lead the beasts to attack the capital of the Heavenly Dou Empire itself. Sunset Forest, though smaller than Star Dou Forest, was home to soul beasts powerful enough to rival Contra level humans.
He had noticed a nearby garrison when they arrived. However, with its strongest defender only at the Soul Sage level, there was no way they could fend off this assault if it spilled over. If that happened, it could destabilize the entire continent.
"Ah Yin, weaken them."
"Right. Fourth soul skill: Blue Silver Drain."
Ah Yin extended her hand, scattering a vast array of seeds from the ocean of blue silver grass, each seed embedding itself onto the frenzied soul beasts' bodies. In an instant, the seeds sprouted, transforming into vines with golden veins that tightly coiled around the creatures.
Under normal circumstances, even the dullest beasts would have instinctively tried to tear off these vines. But with their minds clouded by the drugs, they could only roar and thrash mindlessly as the vines drained their energy. Gradually, the beasts' frenzied movements slowed, bound tighter and tighter as the blue silver grass thrived on their energy.
Unfortunately, Ah Yin's strength was still limited. Although her vines immobilized most of the beasts, the largest of the spider like creatures managed to break free. It paused, seemingly regaining a sliver of clarity, and observed Ah Yin and Ye Wen.
"A Cave Spider King, with a cultivation level surpassing 50,000 years," Ye Wen muttered, recognizing this particular spider species. Unlike the Man Faced Demon Spider, known for its savagery, the Cave Spider King was a highly intelligent creature, renowned for its skill in setting elaborate traps.
Rather than rushing into battle, the Cave Spider King stared at Ye Wen and Ah Yin for a moment before deciding to retreat.
Watching it go, Ye Wen felt relieved. He wasn't particularly concerned about fighting the spider, but his priority was to deal with the lower level soul beasts still swarming toward them. Even Ah Yin's considerable power was beginning to falter under the relentless tide.
From his soul storage space, Ye Wen retrieved a large pouch of medicinal powder, turning to Ah Yin with a reassuring smile.
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